Sixth seed Clijsters trailed 5-2 and later faced match point in the deciding set against the Frenchwomen before a five-game rally transformed the semi-final.
That rapid ascension culminated with Quinnipiac putting together a season for the ages, rolling through a 21-game unbeaten streak at one point and into the NCAAs as the top seed.
Looking to land a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, the Hoyas squandered an early 16-point cushion against Cincinnati and fell behind briefly in the second half before clamping down with their signature defense.
Fujan shot 8 of 13 overall and 6 of 10 from 3-point range as Creighton (25-7) prevented Syracuse (24-8), the No. 7 seed in the Oklahoma City Regional, from earning its first NCAA tournament win in school history.